Eastern Garden Centres bear the brunt of the weather

The GCA Barometer of Trade shows that the East was hit much harder by the cold weather than the West. See more…
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Go-ahead for trial on knotweed predator

March 9 2010, by George BullivantM

Defra has given the go-ahead for controlled release of a psyllid the scientists believe will provide a natural control for Japanese knotweed. See more...
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Beetle mania hits Boskoop

February 8 2010, by Peter DawsonM

Evidence of citrus longhorn beetle damage has had a devastating effect on the growers in Boskoop, Holland. See more…
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Slugs and Snails are No. 1 Pests in 2009

January 27 2010, by RHSM

Slugs and snails were the number one problem on the 2009 Top 10 garden pests list, according to the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS).
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Garden centres should benefit as consumer behaviour changes

January 5 2010, by George BullivantM

The HTA has opened the decade with research on how consumers are responding to a challenging economic climate and concerns about the environment. What are the opportunities for the garden industry? See more...
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2009 Review - Part 1: January to June

December 23 2009, by George Bullivant

There was a nervous feel to the start of 2009. The Banking crisis was in full swing. No one knew whether consumer demand would come to an abrupt halt after Christmas and garden suppliers were anxiously waiting for confirmation of Wyevale’s financial restructuring. This review is open to all. See more...
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Retailers back attempt at tree planting world record

November 18 2009, by George BullivantM

Garden retailers across the country including almost 1000 members of the HTA, will be supporting the BBC’s attempt to coordinate the world record planting of 650,000 trees in one hour on 5th December.
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Going tough in the amenity sector

September 29 2009, by Peter DawsonM

In his monthly nursery column Peter Dawson has been speaking to Andrew Richardson of Johnsons and Whixley about problems facing growers supplying the amenity sector.
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Fraudulent Refunds

August 10 2009, by Geoff Oborne

Just to let everyone know that it has come to my notice that there is a man going around the Southeast trying to get a refund for 2 5lt bottles of Roundup. The man concerned has no receipt/proof of purchase, gives an address that is not real and a phone number that is unobtainable.... See more...
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Urgent industry support needed for children's hospice

July 22 2009, by George BullivantM

Webbs of Wychbold has stepped in with £5,000 to kick start a Greenfingers appeal for £29,000 by September for two urgently needed gardens for limited life children in a Birmingham children's hospice. See more...
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Smaller garden centres have performed best this year

July 20 2009, by George BullivantM

A good gardening autumn and an expected increase in the price of Christmas trees should give garden centres a good start to the new gardening year. Sales since last July have increased by over 5% according to the GCA, with smaller garden centres improving the most. See more...
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Window Food campaign targets 600 acres of window ledges

July 10 2009, by The National TrustM

The grow your own campaign gets further impetus as the National Trust launches ‘Window Food’ campaign to turn 600 acres of urban window ledges into vertical vegetable gardens. There will be over 300 events across the country and some great display ideas for garden centres. See more...
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GC Teams win Greatest Awards

July 1 2009, by Garden Trade NewsM

The winners of The Greatest Awards, organised by Garden Trade News, were announced yesterday at a glittering garden party. Sir Henry Cooper handed over the trophies to the garden centre teams with the most votes, Davids Nurseries, Birkacre Nurseries, Coolings and Baytree Garden Centre. See more...Read more

Monthly Nursery Round-up

June 23 2009, by Peter DawsonM

Among the topics covered by Peter Dawson in his monthly nursery column are the HTA's opposition to the new AWB settlement for England and Wales. See more....
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HTA Conference takes to the rooftops

June 18 2009, by George BullivantM

Last year it was at the Stock Exchange, this year the HTA Conference will be at the Kensington Roof Gardens. Celebrity speakers led by ex-BBC political editor John Sergeant will be joined by key figures from the trade. See more...
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Weak pound hits Italian growers

March 12 2010, by Peter DawsonM

Leading continental plant importers Europlants and Classiflora held very successful open days recently against a background of falling imports. And Plant Fairs go from strength to strength. See more...
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Defra calls on gardeners to help stop the spread of invasive plants

February 24 2010, by DEFRAM

Defra and the Scottish Government today called on Britain’s gardeners to help stop the spread of invasive aquatic plants that damage the natural environment and cost the economy millions with a new campaign to highlight the plight of Britain’s waterways. See more...
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HDC levy proposals would catch smaller growers and garden centres

February 10 2010, by George BullivantM

The HTA is strongly resisting proposals that would force many garden centres and small growers to pay a levy to the HDC for the first time. See more...
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We cannot imagine the change and opportunities carbon reduction will bring

February 2 2010, by George BullivantM

At last week’s GCA Conference a succession of high-profile speakers showed how the environment, the economy and new technology might impact garden centres. For a summary of their collective wisdom, see more...
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Garden centres adapt to the snow and cold

January 19 2010, by George BullivantM

January sales appear to be better than expected with such bad weather. Garden centres have adapted to conditions by selling plastic trays when they had run out of toboggans, grit when they had run out of salt and... See more...
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2009 Review - Part 2: July to December

January 4 2010, by George Bullivant

With trade strong, attention turned to the battle between the increased number of trade shows in 2010. Many garden centres won planning permission to extend. Corporate activity continued among suppliers. See more... (This article is open to all)
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Coping with the change in VAT

November 23 2009, by George BulllivantM

At midnight on 31st December the standard rate of VAT reverts to 17.5%. Does this mean garden centre staff will cancel their New Year's Eve parties in order to re-price their stock? Or will garden centres accept a 5.5% reduction in gross profit? Gardenforum has been talking to retailers. See more...
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Garden centres create free publicity

November 16 2009, by George BullivantM

Some garden centres are winning free publicity by creating newsworthy events and passing the news to their local press. Read some of the stories published in the last week. Many cover unusual ways to launch Christmas. See more...
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Peter Dawson previews Four Oaks

August 28 2009, by Peter DawsonM

Traditionally September has been a busy month for plant buyers, first with Four Oaks and then a couple of weeks later Glee Nursery. But this year things appear to be different. See more...
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Views sought on natural predator for Japanese Knotweed

July 23 2009, by George BullivantM

Defra is consulting about its plans to introduce a predator for Japanese Knotweed next summer. The insect feeds only on the invasive plant, which has proved almost impossible to control by digging or poison and is classed as controlled waste for disposal. See more...
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Dig Together Day to unearth the nations gardening knowledge

July 21 2009, by The Royal Horticultural SocietyM

The RHS is coordinating its first Dig Together Day, this September; bringing together thousands of gardening clubs across the UK, to celebrate the knowledge they hold and to inspire new generations to keep the traditions of gardening alive. See more...
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They are friendly and dynamic at Howard Nurseries

July 17 2009, by Peter DawsonM

Double success for Howard Nurseries and GPS-controlled planting in Holland are covered in this month's nursery column. See more...
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Non-food prices down 1.9%

July 8 2009, by George BullivantM

The latest Nielsen shop price index shows that prices of non-food items have fallen 1.9% this year. See more...
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Mexican scam targets Totally DIY exhibitors

June 27 2009, by Peter DawsonM

DIY Week has issued a warning after exhibitors at Totally DIY received mailings inviting them to update their “free listings” in Expo Guide. See more...
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Wyevale tops poll in first Gardeners' World Awards

June 18 2009, by Peter DawsonM

Wyevale Garden Centres have been named best garden centre in the first Gardeners' World Awards while roses topped the polls in the best loved and the most hated plant categories. See more....
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